Jail unlikely for firing at officers

The 29-year-old man accused of shooting at three undercover police detectives after a late-night chase through Seattle streets last June will likely not face jail time.

Jesse James Toro II pleaded guilty last week to unlawful display of a firearm and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend at his sentencing Friday that Toro receive a suspended one-year jail term.

According to court documents, Toro and the detectives got in a shouting match the night of June 21 at a Denny Way intersection. One officer said he shot at Toro's car after seeing Toro point a gun in his direction.

Toro sped away and the officers gave chase in an unmarked SUV. Without emergency lights, the officers raced after Toro into the Green Lake neighborhood, where Toro fired on their vehicle and disabled it.

The detective investigating the case found that Toro "had no way of knowing that he was confronting the police," according to police reports. Toro's family has said previously that the young jeweler didn't believe his pursuers were police.

Prosecutors originally charged Toro with one count of second-degree assault, a felony that could have landed the man in prison for up to four years.

In his plea, Toro did not admit guilt but said he believed he might not prevail at trial.

"I have gone over the police reports and evidence with my attorneys and ... I do not want to live with the consequences of a felony," he said.

Toro's attorney, B. Renee Alsept, declined to comment on the case. Calls to the King County Prosecutor's Office were not returned Wednesday.

The Police Department's firearms review board is investigating the incident.